The night before the Chargers began their season last Sunday in Kansas City, Jatavis Brown tossed and turned in his sleep. He was dreaming about football again.

This time, the inside linebacker was facing the Chiefs. He intercepted quarterback Alex Smith and sprinted into the end zone at Arrowhead Stadium. Touchdown.

Hours later, Brown stood in spy coverage at Arrowhead and read Smith’s eyes in the first quarter. Smith did not see him. The ball was thrown, darting into Brown’s hands. And ...

“I dropped it,” Brown said. “I actually dreamed about that (moment). It happened, and I missed.”

Brown has dreamt of being an NFL playmaker. The Chargers share the same vision for the rookie fifth-round pick. He can take the next step Sunday against the Jaguars, as he looks to build comfort in the defense. Brown missed most of the preseason to an ankle injury. His role now is one of trial by fire.

On special teams, he’ll be busy.

There also will be passing situations like the one during his NFL debut in which Brown will play in the Chargers’ nickel defense beside Manti Te’o. Last Sunday, Brown split those reps with Denzel Perryman, a hard-hitter whose ability as a run stopper is more considered advanced than his coverage skills.

Perryman came on strong last season after missing much of camp to injury. Brown could experience a similar arc, his role potentially growing over the course of 2016.

“He’s a very instinctive and explosive player who truly loves to play the game,” coach Mike McCoy said. “In the first couple days he was here, he was walking to go get food, and he’s looking at his Surface (tablet), watching film. He loves the game.

“Some plays showed up (Sunday) where you say, ‘He’s got a bright future.’ Then, there are other plays where, missing those reps in camp, he made a little mistake, and then you remind him of things. I just look for him to improve week in and week out. I’m very pleased with where he’s at for the limited amount of time he’s been able to participate with us.”

It’s fair to say the Chargers have embraced youth at the position.

Te’o, 25, and Perryman, 23, are the starting inside linebackers. Behind them, second-year pro Nick Dzubnar is 25. Rookies Brown and Joshua Perry, a fourth-round pick, are 22. Te’o is only one of the five not in his first or second NFL season.

The Chargers understand the learning curve for Brown, who missed the first three exhibition games to an ankle injury.

On the field, they’ll ride it out.

“It takes time,” defensive coordinator John Pagano said. “We’re sitting here, it’s a critical moment in the game, and I’m talking to Jatavis like he’s an eight-year veteran. You’ve got to grow up fast in this league. Whenever that moment is, whether it’s the fourth quarter in Arrowhead or the first quarter here at Qualcomm, it’s, ‘We need you to do things now.’

“He’s not a person who has played a lot of football. Him missing a lot of time here in training camp hurt him, but we love where he’s at. I always love guys that have that ability who can just run and have that play-making ability.”

Brown has dreamt of making those plays.

On Sunday, he’ll have another chance.

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